Tourism

Slightly more off the beaten path than South-east Asia’s mainstream holiday destinations, Sarawak has plenty to offer those seeking a slightly less conventional travel experience. The state is positioning itself as a culture, adventure and nature destination and also looks to increase its share of the globally lucrative meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions market as organisers and planners pursue more unique and exotic locales to stage their events. While shortcomings in connectivity remain an obstacle to growth, the government has never pursued uncontained growth, as turning the state into a mass-market tourism destination would erode the natural attractions that appeal to visitors in the first place. Tourism has thus been identified as a vehicle to be prioritised for the contribution it can make toward a more inclusive model of economic growth.

This chapter contains interviews with Mike Cannon, Managing Director, Sarawak Convention Bureau; and Charlene Chan, Manager, Citadines Uplands Kuching.